The search for a missing child at Buffalo Springs Lake came to an end Tuesday morning, with the help of a retired law enforcement pilot operating his helicopter. Authorities said the help from the air was essential to their efforts.
Pilot John Kimmel now operates Frontier Helicopters in Lubbock, but spent over 25 years in law enforcement. He said it was instinct to fly straight to the scene to help in any way he could.
“I just know how effective a helicopter can be in a search like this, so I was hoping my experience and the fact I was in a helicopter could help,” Kimmel said.
While law enforcement used sonar technology to search from their boats, Kimmel said having eyes above can be extremely helpful, especially given the size of the child.
“So, if you are on a boat and you are looking out across the lake, it’s unlikely that you will see that. Especially if there is any kind of wind action or waves on the lake,” Kimmel said. “If you are up above you are able to see down into the water, and it’s much, much easier.”
Kimmel said he was out on a flight when he heard about the search efforts, and immediately flew his helicopter to assist crews on the water. He knew Stewart Naron of Buffalo Springs Police, and called to see if his aircraft could be of assistance. He knew this body of water had rocks, logs and other things increasing the difficulty of their water-level search, which lasted around 38 hours.
“I’ve done all kinds of searches in all kinds of terrain,” Kimmel said. “It’s very difficult because people are not people are not trained to see things from the air. Things look very different from the air, typically much smaller than what they really are.”
Kimmel said he was about to leave the lake to refuel his aircraft, when he made the recovery.
Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, Buffalo Springs Police, and Lubbock Fire Rescue’s Dive Team continue canvassing the lake, but say they couldn’t have made this recovery without Kimmel’s aid.
“The victim was located via air support this morning,” Game Warden Captain Aryn Corley said on Tuesday. “Piloted by John Kimmel, a retired law enforcement pilot, who had the resources available that they offered to us, which proved invaluable to our success.”
Kimmel said he was just glad to be part of the collective effort for the family.
“It was an amazing effort,” Kimmel said. “People from all around the lake, all around the community, people not law enforcement just wanted to come out and help.”
